24 months contract, ending contract early because I will leave the country

Davy24

Hi all,

I have contracted a 2 years contract with Vodafone since Feb. 2012.
Next month, I will leave the country to live with my girlfriend in Brazil.

I would like to end my contract earlier, but I'm not willing to pay 100% of the rest of the contract for a service I will not have.

What is the best way to end my contract earlier, because I will leave the country, without too much fees?

I will go and see them today to see if we can find an arrangement.
I think that from now I still need to pay until the end of the contract something like £300. Clearly, I don't want to pay that, if we can find an arrangement for £100, its ok for but no more.

I will keep you posted. In the same time, if someone has any idea?

Let me know if something is not clear.

Thanks by advance,
Best regards,
Davy.

MillicentBystander

You signed a contract, it's legally binding and not conditional on what you then subsequently do with your life. AFAICT you will need to pay up the remainder (although they may deduct the VAT element). This sort of happening gives more power to my argument that signing 24 month contracts for an 'entertainment' product is just silly, especially in these uncertain times. sorry I can't be more positive but I don't see any wriggle room here.

Annie._2

You will have signed a contract and will be liable for the full early termination charges. If you have a top of the range smartphone, consider selling the phone and putting the money towards paying off the contract.

Have you thought about trying to do a change of ownership to a very trustworthy friend or relative for the contract ? This way all responsibility for the contract will be with the new owner.

Before you leave the country, make sure the contract is cancelled and the final bill paid or Vodafone will only pass the debt onto debt collectors. It wouldnt be a good idea to ruin your UK credit rating for when and if you return home.

Davy24

Hi all,

Thanks for your answers, it's very useful.
I though about 'giving' the contract to a friend, but I'm still looking for someone...

Thanks a lot,
Have a nice day!

Annie._2

Davy24 wrote: »

Hi all,

Thanks for your answers, it's very useful.
I though about 'giving' the contract to a friend, but I'm still looking for someone...

Thanks a lot,
Have a nice day!

If you only 'give' the contract, make sure the transfer of ownership is fully completed. You need to call Vodafone and authorise the change of ownership and you friend needs to call to accept the contract.

If its not completed fully, your friend could default and you will still be liable for the payments and it will be your credit rating which will get ruined.

MillicentBystander

The giving the contract to a friend idea is a good one but like AnnS has said you really need to do it officially so your credit rating isn't affected should your friend default. Perhaps you could, say, pay them half of what you would have to pay to pay it up as a thank you?

Buzby

You have no choice I'm afraid, you either pay or default - if you don't plan to return for 6 years, either route will work!

arielcohen

Phone them up and talk to them, tell them your situation. Be friendly whilst still negotianting, you might find out they can be understanding.

Good Luck

Vodafone

Hi Davy24,

I can see you’ve already received some great advice above!

If you do cancel your contract early then the cancellation charge is your monthly line rental cost (minus VAT), times the remaining number of months on your contract and then minus 2%.

As suggested above, another option you have is to arrange a transfer of ownership so that someone else can take on the contract.

Thanks,

Jenny
Web Relations
Vodafone UK

19lottie82

Hi OP I'm afraid you're not really in a position here to tell then what you are or are not willing to pay. As discussed you signed a legally binding contract and if you don't stick to it you will prob find your credit rating will be trashed as a result. Not really worth it for a couple of hundred quid.

As someone had already said can you not sell the phone and put it towards your bill?

phil8715

I'm afraid you'll have to pay the termination fee which is the balance of the remaining line rental from now to when the contract is due to end.